Matt Vs. “Never Better” by P.O.S

One thing that always deters me from listening to certain hip-hop or rap songs is that they can sound too artificial. If you’ve listened to enough mainstream stuff, then you’re probably familiar with what I’m talking about. You know, loops and beats made in Fruity Loops or Garageband, all that bullshit. We’ve heard it so many times before. And, believe me, it’s really fucking boring.

P.O.S is the remedy for that. This album is infected with his hardcore punk rock background. Every song is complete and utter chaos. Live drums, distorted guitars, and a loud black man screaming into your headphones. There’s a sense of rawness that moves throughout the entire album. P.O.S doesn’t like to do second takes. Fuck no. If someone messes up a line, he’s not going to do what normal people do and re-record it. He’s leaving that shit in. Some tracks will start off with P.O.S talking to some people in the studio, or clearing his throat. Sometimes he’ll stop a verse and begin to laugh uncontrollably. All of this adds to that “we don’t give a fuck” punk lifestyle that P.O.S is known for.

“Get Smokes,” possibly the best song on “Never Better”, exemplifies that idea. The song starts as what can only be described as a noisy blur. The distorted guitars are blending together to the point where they’re indistinguishable from each other, there’s a crazy-ass spring sound on top of that. Plus, horns (you always need horns). All of them mashing together, kicking you in the fucking face, calling you a pansy, and giving you the name “Abygale”. It’s abuse, but you’re going to love it.

“Never Better,” and P.O.S as a whole, is truly “rap to skateboard to.” It’s an album that bridges the gap between genres to make a beautiful fusion of rhyme and rock. I’m not even sure that made any sense. That’s how awesome this album is, god damn it.

WINNER: “Never Better” by P.O.S

WHY: For showing Matt the fist, knocking him on his ass, and making him like it.